CUSHON WORKPLACE PENSION
Invest with climate focus
Grow your pension pot. Tackle climate change. No compromise.
Most pensions aren't helping the climate
The average pension pot of an employee in the UK finances 13 tonnes of CO2 per year. With £3 trillion invested in UK pensions, our strategy invests in real projects and infrastructure to support our decarbonisation journey.
- We have already cut our investments' emissions by 78% [¹]
- We are set to reduce emissions by 80% by 2030 [²]
- Our investments power solutions like low carbon energy and manufacturing, social housing and protecting habitats and ecosystems
Our pension delivers impact that you can measure
Capital at risk. The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may get less than the full amount you invest.
Not all climate focused pensions are the same
Our strategy invests in real projects and infrastructure to make positive climate impact happen fast. It's designed that way because we all know action is needed right now.
Of course an end to emissions is the ultimate target - but we think focusing on 2040 or 2050 as many plans do could leave your investments 'twiddling their funds' for years to come. [³]
Investing with climate impact does not lessen financial returns for you
Investing in a liveable future doesn't mean you have to compromise on personal financial returns with your pension. (In fact, the opposite can be true.)
Cumulative return since inception.[⁴]Past performance is not a guide to future performance, nor a reliable indicator of future results or performance.
The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may get less than the full amount you invest.
How it works
The way we invest the money in your pension pot makes real climate action happen – while building a pension that can finance your future plans and give you more options in retirement.
Four ways your money powers action
We buy shares in or loan to companies that already have low and reducing emissions
We invest in companies that need £ to activate their credible plan to reduce high emissions
We invest in infrastructure and technology that helps the world reduce emissions - for example wind and solar
We use investments to directly influence companies to start their emissions reductions
And here's the technical part
For most of the time you are contributing to your pension, we focus on growing your pot with calculated risks designed to grow your money for the long term. Towards the time you are planning to start taking money out of your pot we adjust the approach to reduce the risks.
In the growth phase of your pension, we invest your money using the following targets. They will vary from time to time as we optimally balance risks and returns.
75%
Global Equity investment
means buying shares in companies that are publicly listed on the stock market
15%
Private Market investment
means buying shares in privately owned companies not listed on the stock market
10%
Global Bond investment
means loaning money to companies and being paid back with interest overtime
Target asset allocations for the Cushon Sustainable Investment Strategy
Overseen by our experienced trustees
"Some call it innovation, we say it is just sound, modern, financially robust strategy for the future."
Katie Blacklock, Trustee
"Cushon's Private Market investment approach is truly pioneering - the first of its kind to be approved by the Financial Conduct Authority."
Roger Mattingly, Chair of Trustees
Real world impact you can measure
We work with highly experienced fund managers to make sure our members’ money is building them a feel-good future and delivering impact for the climate and the world around us.
That means investing in projects like these.
Powering the UK's renewable electricity
"Slow money has a big role to play". A Q&A with Veronica Humble
Growing low-carbon veg in the UK
Putting money where it's fit for the future
Your questions answered
Jargon-free financial knowhow to help you make sense of savings and investments.
Blogs
Our decarbonisation transition plan
Find out more about our Cushon Decarbonisation Transition Plan, its goals and its targets.
NatWest Cushon
Blogs
The lowdown on private markets
Private markets investment within pensions are not a new thing, however they have suddenly become a big news focus, with the government encouraging defined contribution (DC) pension schemes to invest in private markets or what are sometimes called illiquid investments.
NatWest Cushon
Blogs
Cushon vs deforestation: investing in better outcomes
If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise… over the past 50 years, we’ve lost 50% of the world’s forests. It’s a problem with far-reaching consequences.
NatWest Cushon
[¹] Reduction in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions for the growth phase of Cushon's Sustainable Investment Strategy since inception (August 2022), compared to its independently verified 2022 benchmark. The benchmark, which has been verified by independent advisers ISIO, is defined as the weighted average of the carbon footprint of the underlying funds’ benchmark of 118 tCO2e/$m EVIC. For further information, see our Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report.
[²] [³] Target for the growth phase of Cushon's Sustainable Investment Strategy to achieve a in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 30th September 2030, compared to its independently verified 2022 benchmark. The benchmark, which has been verified by independent advisers ISIO, is defined as the weighted average of the carbon footprint of the underlying funds’ benchmark of 118 tCO2e/$m EVIC. For further information, see our Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report.
[⁴] Cumulative return since inception (August 2022). Source: Mobius Life